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Namesake
Howard E. Woodford was born in Barberton, Ohio, and entered service there. On 6 June 1945, near Tabio, Luzon, Philippines, Staff Sergeant Woodford, a battalion intelligence sergeant with the 130th Infantry, volunteered to investigate the delay in a scheduled attack by an attached guerilla battalion. The lead company in combat for the first time, was immobilized by intense enemy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire which had caused casualties to key personnel. Sergeant Woodford recognizing the situation, took command of the company; evacuated the wounded; reorganized the unit under fire; and prepared to attack. He repeatedly exposed himself to Japanese fire to reveal enemy positions. Guiding the guerrillas up a barren hill and capturing the objective, Sergeant Woodford personally accounted for two hostile machine gunners. After organizing a perimeter defense for the night, Sergeant Woodford declined to return to his battalion.
Before dawn on 7 June, the enemy launched a fierce suicide attack. Though wounded by a grenade, Sergeant Woodford remained at his post calling for mortar support until bullets knocked out his radio. Then, seizing a rifle, he began working his way around the perimeter, encouraging the men until he reached a weak spot where two guerrillas had been killed. Filling the gap himself, he fought off the enemy. At daybreak, he was found dead in his foxhole; but 37 enemy dead were found in and around his position. By his daring and determination to search out and kill the enemy, Sergeant Woodford led an inexperienced unit in capturing and holding a vital objective and was responsible for the successful continuance of a vitally important general advance. For his actions, Sergeant Woodford was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
U.S. Army Photo |
Bill Gonyo |
